James Patterson makes a statement, a powerful one with his novel, 1st to Die.
The plot, which is skillfully woven, makes this novel click. Every chapter has a twist. With Patterson trademark small chapters, that’s too much twist. But, they are skillfully plotted. Believe me, you think you’ve cracked the plot and suddenly, you realize that the plot has double-took you. I’ve gone through this more than a couple of times.
Gripping, Electrifying, Break-Neck are the words to look for if you are trying to explain this book. Especially towards the end , it switches gears , grips and rips you apart. So quick is the pace that I finished it at a single stretch. There are murders, not simple ones but Newly-weds are being murdered or , to be more realistic, Slaughtered.As the number of murders increases, they become nastier too.
Lindsay, a SFPD Inspector, is assigned to the case. Keeping in mind, the hierarchy of command, she forms a separate group, unofficial, comprising of her friend, the medical examiner, Claire, Cindy , a reporter and Jill , a D.A. Together, they crack the case. Meanwhile, Lindsay suffers from a kind of Anemia which is draining her energy. Still she holds her shape to solve this case. She also develops a relationship with her partner, Chris Raleigh which is also keeping her in shape.
All the evidence from the crime scenes, the testimonies, the investigations, all lead to a single man, Nicholas Jenks, a famous Novelist with a big stature. He is arrested and taken to court and after all these, you’ll find yourself in the middle of the book only. The suspense and mayhem continue when a faint thought arises in Lindsay’s mind “What if Jenks is being framed?” And from that, things start falling in place I am leaving a part of the cake for you to taste. And I guarantee you that you will not be disappointed.
To be frank, this is ONE HELLUVA NOVEL.Have you ever heard some one saying “thrilling to the final page”? Well, this truly is.